YOUNGSTERS at schools in and around Bromsgrove marked the most important event in the Chinese calendar by monkeying around with their teachers' blessing.

January 22 marked the start of 15 days of fun and festivities to herald in the Chinese New Year, the year of the monkey.

Tradition says those born in the year of the monkey, that is 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968 1980 and 1992, are intelligent and well liked.

It's an occasion when the Chinese regularly let their hair down by decorating their homes, feasting and wearing "lucky"clothes, and local youngsters were determined to join in the party.

Meadows First School in Bromsgrove enjoyed a visit from some Chinese and Taiwanese pupils from Bromsgrove School who told them about their culture and how the New Year is celebrated back home.

Teacher Liz Miller said pupils at the Stourbridge Road school also set up a Chinese restaurant and cooked noodles.

On Monday, Chinese pupils from Bromsgrove senior school visited their pre-prep Ottilie Hild at Stoke Heath to tell youngsters about the festivities and teach them how to say greetings and how to write their names in Chinese.

And 'little monkeys' at Jellybabies Nursery at Longbridge Methodist Church sampled a taste of the Orient as they celebrated the event by trying their hands using chopsticks and performing a traditional Chinese dance.

Nursery manager Jackie Walker said: "The children had a truly wonderful time and learnt a great deal."

Twinkle-toed tots at Sidemoor Pre School in Broad Street, Bromsgrove, learnt a Chinese dance, which they performed for their proud parents. They also made monkey masks.

Playgroup supervisor Toni Cook said: "The children really enjoyed celebrating the Chinese New Year."

Children at Holywell Nursery in School Road, Rubery, were delighted by the entry of the dragon for their celebrations.

All 52 three and four-year-olds had played a part in creating the dragon, said Cynthia Beckett, on behalf of the school.

Lanterns and other colourful Chinese decorations were put up around the nursery and the children enjoyed eating a takeaway meal with chopsticks.

"It's a way of helping children experience other cultures," Mrs Beckett said. "They were all really excited and they had a great time."